Melting glaciers can have a major impact on countries around the world, from mountainous regions to small island states. On Friday, March 21st, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang closed the proceedings for the first World Glacier Day.
The event took place at The Trusteeship Council Chamber, a space used in the 1940s and 1990s. The place was symbolic to oversee the decolonization of the territory under the administration of the United Nations.
The minutes began with a “high-level opening.” This is a term used in diplomatic circles, and indicates the introduction of the issue by a head of state or senior minister. In this case, the speaker was Sirojdin Mouridin, the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, who has worked closely with the United Nations for nearly 20 years. His presence underscored Tajikistan’s deep commitment to working with the United Nations, particularly as a country that relies on glaciers for its water supply, to ensure future preservation.
“[For Tajikistan] “In the event, Bahodur Sherazoda, chairman of the Tajikistan government’s Environmental Protection Commission, said that despite being a country that emits more than 90% of the energy from hydropower, conservation of the ice age is a socioeconomic necessity, despite Tajikistan’s efforts to promote Greisel’s appeal, conservation of the ice age is a socioeconomic necessity.” Explosive floods on the lake threaten bridges and roads, and more frequent droughts affecting agriculture, energy production and industrial activities.
Following the opening statement, leading glaciologists and climate experts highlighted specific messages regarding glacial preservation. Shawn Marshalla scientific advisor to the Canadian government has expressed concern about the rate of acceleration of glacial melts. “With the glaciology community, most of us are amazed at how fast this unfolds. One of the contributors he highlighted was the darkening of the glacier. He explained that deposition of debris from wildfires reduces the ability of the glacier to reflect sunlight and melts faster.
Ben Orloevea senior research scientist at Columbia School of Climate and a professor at Columbia’s International School of Public Service (SIPA) highlighted the value of integrating scientific knowledge with indigenous knowledge. “Scientific knowledge is rich and on a global scale,” he said. Indigenous knowledge is characterized by “continuous environmental monitoring” and “interactions with water, vegetation, and soil coverage.” Orlove also discussed the complementarity of scientific and indigenous knowledge systems, citing community-based projects in Peru and Nepal.
Angela HoesMountain Guides and Environmental Advocates focus on the power of grassroots mobilization in driving climate action. She emphasized her work Protect the winteran organization dedicated to attracting outdoor enthusiasts and interest groups, lobbying for policy changes. Hawse highlighted the importance of effective communication strategies, including highlighting the “severity of the situation and the potential loss of what you love outdoors.” It lobbyed on certain targets, including laws that advancing public land conservation, clean energy, and addressing climate impacts.
Following the panel of experts, representatives of UN member states issued a formal statement, outlining the national status on the issue of glacial preservation. Barbados representatives admitted that although there is no glacier, snow or ice on the tropical islands of Barbados, there is a connection between what is happening on glaciers and what is happening on the coastlines of developing countries on small islands like Barbados. Pakistan referenced the incident at its 2024 UNESCO headquarters in Paris, entitled “Glacier Shift: Announces Pakistan’s Unique Climate Challenges.” The event focused on the anomalies of Karakolam, an abnormal phenomenon in which local glaciers maintain stable mass due to local reduced temperatures. Representatives argued that this further strengthened the need to limit temperature rises.
Other participants included Suzanne O’ConnellEarth scientists at Wesleyan University recently presented Report On the increased risk of glacial lake explosion flooding to insurance industry representatives. There were also various NGOs Project pressuremapped three disappearing glaciers in Uganda. Their presence expressed interest in some of the world’s Meteorological Organizations and the United Nations Educational and Science Organizations (UNESCO), the leading organizers of the event, as they expanded their advocacy for glaciers beyond the UN’s scope.
There was a copy of the meeting room United Nations Water Development Report 2025 Theme: Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers. The report, published by UNESCO on behalf of Un-Water, was published simultaneously with World Glacier Day. An important finding is that 60% of the world’s freshwater supply comes from “increasingly fragile mountain environments,” highlighting the connection between glaciers and freshwater.
Following a brief pause, the World Glacier Day event has shifted to discussions on sustainable water management for World Water Day. Since 1993, March 22nd has been the World Water Day, and introduces a different theme each year. That’s what this year’s theme was Glacier preservation.
According to World Water Day panelists, one key issue was how to manage international cooperation in changing global order. Caves and ticksthe director of the United Nations Institute of Water, Environment and Health, argued that “the main issue we are dealing with is uncertainty regarding the New World Order.” This raises challenges such as “water governance,” especially considering the loss of the glaciers, the “world’s largest freshwater reservoir.”
The Russian representative said, “The water agenda … must be seen through the development lens. [and] Do not connect[ed] To the issue of peace and security. ” Meanwhile, the UN Water Development Report emphasized the need for “multilateralism” given that climate adaptation and water management are cross-border issues.
Through the United Nations, he said, “Some small countries are far more weight than their weight.” Daniel NaujoxDirector of SIPA’s International Organizations and Specialised in UN Studies. Since the 1990s, small island states have forced the world to recognize sea level as an important issue. Naujox cited Kiliberty’s leadership in climate governance as an example. Similarly, Tajikistan, a small mountain nation, achieved the same by steadily promoting World Glacier Day. Certainly, the speakers of the day highlighted the interconnectedness of our world and its changing climate.
